How to prepare for a custody evaluation for you children
When faced with increasingly complex and bitter divorce matters involving children, courts frequently turn to clinical professionals to unravel the allegations and mudslinging. Typically conducted by social workers or psychologists, custody and access evaluations are sought to determine the best custody and access plan for children after divorce.
Dr. Julie Gowthorpe, RSW is a clinical social worker who provides individual (adults, teens and children), couple therapy, and family therapy for a wide range of issues. She offers mediation services and parenting plans to couples going through ...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesFathers will win child custody battles if the children are the priority in everyday life
In recent years, as more and more mothers have entered the workforce, child custody fights between divorcing parents have become more commonplace. The outcomes of these contests are ultimately decided by a Family Court judge whose determination is based on his/her answer to the following question: “primary placement with which parent is in the best interests of the child(ren)?”
A good dad and friend first, E.B.Gunn is a journalist and political consultant who has survived his own divorces and the divorces of many friends and family members. He has written for humor magazines, TV, political journals, outdoors blogs, we...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesModifying a divorce decree for child custody or child support
Custody and child/spousal support terms are binding, but they are not set in stone. In most states, the court order for a change is called a “modification.” Technically, you can pursue a modification at any time after the last order. The key is knowing when you have enough evidence to convince a court that a “substantial change of circumstances” has occurred since the entry of the original order.
Brad M. Micklin is an award-winning lead attorney and managing member at The Micklin Law Group. For more than 20 years, he has helped clients through some of the toughest, most emotional experiences of their lives including high conflict divorce...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesWhat to do if your ex-spouse fails to pay child support
Under the law, both parents of a child are required to provide financial support for that child. In the case of a divorce, separation, or when non-married parents no longer live together, a non-custodial parent is required to provide financial support to help the child maintain a standard of living similar to the one the child would have had if the parents had remained together. If an ex-spouse or non-custodial parent of a child fails to pay child support, there are several things a custodial parent can do to obtain needed child support.
Holli Palmer is an experienced and caring, dedicated family attorney in Houston. Representing men and women dealing with custody, divorce and related disputes in the greather houston area and Harri, Montgomery and statewide counties. With over 1...
View Full ProfileKnow your options for paying alimony when getting a divorce
No one wants to talk about alimony, and no one wants to pay it either, especially for a long period of time. But alimony is part of a divorce when there is a disparity of income and it’s a reality in those cases. However, there are ways to come up with an alimony amount you can live with.
South Florida Family Law Attorney Lori Barkus has 15 years of legal experience. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Law mediator, guardian ad litem and is trained in Collaborative Family Law. She handles matters ...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesBe proactive when navigating child custody during divorce
Without a doubt, children are an unintended casualty of divorce. Many kids just want their family back the way it used to be. But, when the marriage cannot be saved, parents simply have to push through the process and do their absolute best to keep it from affecting their children. This is always easier said than done. Here are tips for navigating the divorce process with your children’s best interests in mind.
Brad M. Micklin is an award-winning lead attorney and managing member at The Micklin Law Group. For more than 20 years, he has helped clients through some of the toughest, most emotional experiences of their lives including high conflict divorce...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesHow to get an annulment when there is misrepresentation or fraud
Sometimes a wedding is a mistake, and not just because your spouse snores, is a slob, or a shopaholic. For other reasons, a marriage should have never taken place, and an annulment is appropriate.
An annulment is a court procedure that dissolves a marriage and, in effect, dismisses it like it was a figment of someone's imagination. Much like divorce, an annulment is far from simple. But with some research and preparation, the annulment process can be very manageable.
Sari M. Friedman has over 30 years of legal experience and has dedicated her career to protecting families throughout New York who are being torn apart by a divorce or who need experienced assistance with a legal matter of any kind. Sari Friedma...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesA collaborative divorce avoids a court battle and reduces costs
One of the things people fear most about divorce is lawyers. Many people think that hiring a lawyer means a big court battle and a lot of legal fees. But there is another way to go through the divorce process without going to war. And that way is collaborative divorce.
South Florida Family Law Attorney Lori Barkus has 15 years of legal experience. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Law mediator, guardian ad litem and is trained in Collaborative Family Law. She handles matters ...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesMediation can help you get what you want in divorce and save money
There is no such thing as justice in divorce. You have to make your own justice, and mediation is an excellent way way to do it. Mediation is a negotiation that is facilitated by a neutral mediator. The mediator’s job is to keep you and your spouse focused on the task of splitting your assets and liabilities, dealing with the future support, making parenting plans, etc. However, the mediator has no power to make your decisions. You make your own decisions based on your needs. That’s why you can tailor your own justice in mediation.
California Lawyer of the Year, 2012 Best Lawyers in America, Lawyer of the Year 2014 Award-winning author, law professor, speaker, trainer, and mediator specializing in deeply intractable conflicts...
View Full ProfileDivorce mediators help you settle differences and save money
A divorce mediator can help some couples settle their divorce issues in a less expensive way. Mediators can work with the parties to reach an agreement on all issues in a divorce - children, property, support, etc. It is cheaper to hire one mediator, and consult with attorneys, than to hire two lawyers in a divorce. Here are some tips on hiring and using a divorce mediator.
South Florida Family Law Attorney Lori Barkus has 15 years of legal experience. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Law mediator, guardian ad litem and is trained in Collaborative Family Law. She handles matters ...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesBe realistic, reasonable and communicate for a successful divorce
There are no winners and losers when divorce is involved; it is a loss for both individuals. However, a successful divorce can be achieved. Going through a divorce can be a painful and difficult process. By having information regarding the complexities of the legal system, the process will become a little bit more tolerable. This article will help you more easily understand the process and get you through your divorce with realistic goals and ideas.
Attorney Jeffrey Feulner graduated from Rollins College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Behavior and received his Juris Doctorate degree from the Florida State University College of Law. Attorney Feulner is the sole shareholder ...
View Full ProfileMen will prosper in a divorce by focusing on these practical solutions
Men facing divorce should abide scrupulously by one principle: look forward, not back. They will thus focus on practical solutions to the challenges they face, and they will avoid bitterness and vindictiveness which are expensive and self-consuming. This is trebly so in instances where there are children involved.
A good dad and friend first, E.B.Gunn is a journalist and political consultant who has survived his own divorces and the divorces of many friends and family members. He has written for humor magazines, TV, political journals, outdoors blogs, we...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesTake precautions to ensure a quick and fair high net-worth divorce
Individuals with high net worth often present a unique situation to their respective matrimonial attorneys. There are simply more financial resources to fund support and to share. Substantial business assets are often involved and extensive categories of personal expenses (including nannies, private schools, second and third homes and an affluent lifestyle) must be reckoned with. The support question in a typical divorce is: how can two households be supported when this intact family could barely survive (financially) when they were together?
Mr. Kornitzer’s practice focuses in all aspects of family law including divorce litigation, mediation, arbitration, post-judgment litigation, custody, relocation, domestic violence, premarital agreements, assets protection agreements, grandparen...
View Full ProfileA parenting plan means more than trading weekends with your ex
A well-crafted parenting plan should take into account than just the details of which parent has which child on which day. Creative holiday planning, boundaries for financial discussions, and common household rules provide children of all ages and their separated or divorced parents with the stabilizing consistency and predictability they need to thrive.
Arianna Jeret is a mediator and divorce coach based in the Los Angeles area. Her practice focuses on resolving conflict and reducing financial strain, replacing old habits with productive communication and negotiation methods. While her main foc...
View Full ProfileHow to choose the right divorce attorney for your divorce
If there's one time you want the right person in your corner, it's during a divorce. Having the best attorney for your situation is critical. Here's some crucial expert advice for finding one.
Sari M. Friedman has over 30 years of legal experience and has dedicated her career to protecting families throughout New York who are being torn apart by a divorce or who need experienced assistance with a legal matter of any kind. Sari Friedma...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesLegal guidance for co-parenting a pet with your ex
I was recently involved in a divorce case where my client was very amicable to granting all of his future ex-wife’s demands - except one. He was going to move out of the country following the divorce and requested that he be allowed custody of one of their two dogs. Surprisingly, the judge didn’t grant this request.
The family law attorney side of me argued his case. But, as a pet owner, and co-parent of a pet with my ex, I was smiling inside. The reason being is why the judge decided not to grant custody.
Santa Monica, CA-based Family Law Attorney, author, public speaker and newspaper columnist David T. Pisarra Esq., heads the law firm of Pisarra and Grist as well as Men’s Family Law, dedicated to providing support and representation to men deali...
View Full ProfileAdvice for men wanting full custody of the kids in a divorce
For many years, it was not a surprise during a custody battle when the mother succeeded in gaining legal and physical custody of the children, but this is changing. Today, a father who wants to remain part of his children’s lives through full or shared custody is winning these rights in cases throughout the country.
Here are the most common factors a court will look at to determine how the custody arrangement will be settled in the best interest of the child:
Brad M. Micklin is an award-winning lead attorney and managing member at The Micklin Law Group. For more than 20 years, he has helped clients through some of the toughest, most emotional experiences of their lives including high conflict divorce...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesPrepare yourself when you decide it is time for a divorce
Right after the New Year is when divorce filings are at their highest. Essentially there really is no perfect or ideal time to get a divorce. Most couples convince themselves that they should give your kids one more holiday season with the family intact. Then, once the tree is down and the New Year confetti cleaned up, the reality of the situation hits home.
Brad M. Micklin is an award-winning lead attorney and managing member at The Micklin Law Group. For more than 20 years, he has helped clients through some of the toughest, most emotional experiences of their lives including high conflict divorce...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesSeeking an increase in child support? Follow this advice
Child support is the financial payment made by a noncustodial parent (the parent who does not live with the child) as a contribution to costs of raising his or her child. Depending on the state, an award of child support can be entered into voluntarily, by court order, or by an administrative agency. If the court or administrative agency determines the amount of the award, it is calculated based on a formula written into state law that takes into consideration both parents’ incomes, the needs of the child, and other factors regarding family structure.
Nora Victoria Law was admitted to Texas State Bar in `04 and attended Vanderbilt University & South Texas College of Law. Winner of the New York regional moot Court Championship Team, received an award for 3rd place at the National Health Law Mo...
View Full ProfilePreparation is key to protecting yourself in a high-asset divorce
No doubt, divorce is not pretty. It is emotionally draining and becomes even more so when couples begin the process of figuring out who gets what. The anger and emotion get kicked into high gear if the couple can’t agree on property division, alimony, who gets the house and that painting you both spent a fortune on during your honeymoon.
With extensive experience in all aspects of marital dissolutions, Kathleen M. Picotte Newman has represented many complex and ongoing matters in the personal, financial and business interests of her clients. You will likely first notice her quie...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesHow to protect yourself in divorce when there are valuable assets
Divorce can be a difficult and lengthy process. That’s especially true for couples trying to split up extensive and valuable assets. For the breadwinner of the family, this process can be especially taxing because he or she will likely need to pay alimony and other concessions to the spouse during the process of property division. Keep in mind, this part of the divorce is much like a business transaction. Try to keep your emotions out of it and do your homework. Know what assets you have, what assets you want and be willing to compromise.
Brad M. Micklin is an award-winning lead attorney and managing member at The Micklin Law Group. For more than 20 years, he has helped clients through some of the toughest, most emotional experiences of their lives including high conflict divorce...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesHow to ensure your ex-spouse complies with the court's orders
Once your divorce has been finalized and you and your ex have gone your separate ways, you both still need to comply with the court’s orders regarding the division of property, child support, child possession, and a host of other issues covered in your final divorce decree. Securing positive terms in the final decree was only half the battle. Actually making sure they happen when they’re supposed to happen is the other half, and that battle can go on for many years, particularly if there are children involved.
Jeff Anderson is a partner in Orsinger, Nelson, Downing & Anderson, LLP in Dallas. He is Board Certified in Family Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization and is a fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. His email address i...
View Full ProfileChoose the right divorce attorney to protect you and your family
Once the decision is made to get divorce, the next crucial decision is the hiring of a divorce lawyer. Often a husband or wife is tempted to use a friend of a friend or maybe even a relative. At this difficult time what you need is a well-versed, experienced divorce attorney who knows family law and who will get you through this time of turmoil with both compassion and a professional demeanor.
Lynne Gold-Bikin, who has been practicing family law for four decades, is Chair of the Family Law Group at Weber Gallagher. A nationally recognized attorney, she handles every type of domestic relations matter, including intense custody disputes...
View Full ProfileParents considering divorce must protect themselves and kids
For a variety of reasons, many people choose to represent themselves in a divorce, custody or child support case. The decision of whether to hire an attorney to represent you—or to choose to represent yourself—may be one of the most important decisions one makes regarding their children, family and financial security.
I have practiced family law in Colorado and Kansas since 1977. My specialties include dissolution of marriage (divorce), collaborative law, conflict coaching for individuals, mediation, modification of child support, parenting time and parental ...
View Full ProfileKnow the difference between custody and shared parenting in divorce
Custody (also called timesharing) and shared parenting are two different concepts. When going through a divorce, it is important to know how each of these differ when the judge allows partial or full custody of the children. The most important thing, however, is to always keep the child’s best interest in mind when making decisions for them on both of you and your exes’ behalf. This article explains the difference and why shared parenting is the norm in most cases.
South Florida Family Law Attorney Lori Barkus has 15 years of legal experience. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Law mediator, guardian ad litem and is trained in Collaborative Family Law. She handles matters ...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesFind hidden assets that your spouse has not declared during divorce
Many people going through a divorce may be unaware of hidden assets. There are a number of means that can be employed to locate assets that one spouse has kept secreted from the other. Whether it is a simple review of statements or pay stubs, or a more aggressive means requiring subpoenas and depositions, undeclared assets can be found.
Bonnie Sockel-Stone is board certified in Marital and Family Law, which is her sole area of practice. She began her professional career with the accounting firms of Deloitte, Haskins and Sells and Ernst and Young. Her extensive accounting experi...
View Full ProfileThe right way to separate
Separation is more than taking a break from your marriage and living apart from your spouse. It is an important time to plan and reflect on you and your family’s legal, financial, and emotional ramifications if you decide to end your marriage. There are many things to consider, but here are a few important things to do and not do when separating.
Leslie F. Barbara is a Partner and Heads the New York law firm, Davidoff Hutcher & Citron’s Matrimonial and Family Law group. She specializes in all aspects of matrimonial and family law and litigation, including separation, divorce, equitable d...
View Full ProfileThese child support basics will benefit you and your children
The guidelines governing child support are established at the state level and differ from state to state. Oftentimes, the issue of child support in a divorce is very contentious. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Knowing some child support basics will benefit your children, you and even your ex-spouse.
Rosemary Frank, MBA, CDFA™ CDFP®CDFS is a financial services professional with a specialty in the finances of divorce. She advises clients who are divorcing, and their attorneys, on the long term financial impact and consequences of proposed div...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesDivorcing and divorced dads succeed when they put the interests of the children first
Divorces are heart-wrenching for all families, particularly when children are involved.Though courts have traditionally favored mothers in divorce proceedings, more and more people are finally understanding that dads matter just as much as moms. Children need strong role-models in their lives, which includes both parents. Divorce is undoubtedly difficult, but this expert advice for dads going through the process - or recently divorced - will help make it easier for everybody.
Brenda B. Shapiro is a Family Law attorney and litigator. She provides legal counsel to clients on family law matters, including prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, divorce, child custody, access and time sharing, post-dissolution, domestic v...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesNegotiating alimony during a divorce
The concept of alimony has its roots in old English law whereby a husband was ordered to provide support for a wife after divorce, usually for life. Those were times when women were not allowed to own property, could not earn a living, and would otherwise become dependent upon the government for support. A lot has changed since then. As women have become more self-sufficient, reliance upon alimony has correspondingly lessened. In addition, alimony is no longer a gender issue, but an issue for the less resourceful spouse, husband or wife.
Rosemary Frank, MBA, CDFA™ CDFP®CDFS is a financial services professional with a specialty in the finances of divorce. She advises clients who are divorcing, and their attorneys, on the long term financial impact and consequences of proposed div...
View Full ProfileRecent ArticlesWhat to do when "I do" turns into “I don’t”- A Divorce Guide
The do’s and don’ts of a divorce. Knowing what to do is as important as knowing what not to do. Follow these simple do's and don'ts if you find yourself in this stressful situation.
Ron is the co-founding shareholder/partner of Adinolfi and Lieberman, P.A. Ron is a highly experienced family law attorney focusing in the area of high-end matrimonial litigation. Ron appears regularly before the Family Part in Atlantic, Burli...
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